U.S. drivers buy a record number of hybrid, electric cars in March
April 14, 2012 |
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General Motors sold just 7,671 Volts last year, below its goal of 10,000. But in March, it set a new monthly record of 2,289 sales for the gas-electric vehicle. Escalating gas prices attracted consumers to the cars. / February photo by David Zalubowski/Associated Pres
By Dee-Ann Durbin
Associated Press
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Nissan Leaf sales nearly doubled to 579. Gas neared $4 per gallon. / March photo by JEFF BARNARD/Associated Press
Americans are buying record numbers of hybrid and electric cars as gas prices climb and new models arrive in showrooms, giving the vehicles their greatest share yet of the U.S. auto market.
Consumers bought a record 52,000 gas-electric hybrids and all-electric cars in March, up from 34,000 during the same month last year.
The two categories combined made up 3.64% of total U.S. sales, their highest ever monthly market share, Ward's AutoInfoBank said. The previous high was 3.56% in July 2009, when the Cash for Clunkers program encouraged people to trade in old gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient cars.
And though their share of the market remains small, it's a big leap from the start of the year, when hybrids and electrics made up 2.38% of new car sales.
Buyers were drawn by new models like the Toyota Prius c subcompact, the Prius v wagon and Camry hybrid. Gas prices near or above $4 per gallon added to the cars' allure.
David Martin, a Denver software engineer, estimates he'll save at least $150 per month on gas with his new Chevrolet Volt compared with the 2010 Acura TSX he replaced. Martin expects gas prices to stay high, a factor that heavily influenced his purchase.
"As the cost of gasoline rises, my future savings can only increase," he said.
Stronger sales of the Volt and the Nissan Leaf were a positive sign for makers of gas-electric and all-electric cars. The two vehicles have struggled to gain acceptance from buyers worried about how far they can drive on a battery charge.
Another concern: Volt maker General Motors had to change the car's charging system because its batteries caught fire after government crash tests.
GM sold just 7,671 Volts last year, below its goal of 10,000. But in March, it set a new monthly record of 2,289 for the Volt, an electric car with a small backup gas engine. All-electric Leaf sales nearly doubled to 579.
Gas prices helped sales. The nationwide average for a gallon of gas jumped 19 cents in March, from $3.73 to $3.92, and it crossed the $4 mark in California even earlier.
The $4 mark was a significant psychological milestone for some buyers, said Paul Lacy, who forecasts sales trends for consulting firm IHS Automotive.
Lacy expects hybrids and electrics to make up about 4% of U.S. sales this year, although sales could drop if gas prices fall or if buyers get more accustomed to higher prices.
Hybrid and electric sales also rose with high pump prices last spring, but fell after prices moderated and the Japanese earthquake disrupted Prius supplies.
Lacy predicts hybrids and electrics will double their market share to 8.5% by 2017, in part because there will be more options on the market.
Last month, 35 hybrids and electrics were on sale, double the number from 2008.
The proliferation of models will also bring down costs. Hybrids cost around $2,000 to $4,000 more than their gas counterparts, which can make them less attractive to buyers.
Automotive information site Edmunds.com estimates that it takes 11 years' worth of gas savings to recoup the $4,595 premium on the Honda Civic hybrid, or 5.2 years to make back the $3,400 premium on the Toyota Camry hybrid.
But those gaps are narrowing, said Jessica Caldwell, senior director of pricing and industry analysis for Edmunds.com.
The price difference between the Camry and Camry hybrid has fallen by $800 since the hybrid was introduced.
Toyota's Prius hybrid cars were the runaway best-sellers last month. They made up 57% of all hybrids and electrics sold.
The Prius c, an entry-level hybrid that is 19 inches shorter and $5,000 cheaper than the regular Prius, sold nearly 4,900 in March, its first month on the market.
More Details: Top 10 hybrid and electric cars sold in March
Hybrid and electric cars saw record U.S. sales in March as gas prices rose and new models hit the market. Here are the top 10 hybrid cars in March by sales.
1. Toyota Prius hatchback, 18,008
2. Toyota Camry hybrid, 5,404
3. Toyota Prius v, 4,937
4. Toyota Prius c, 4,875
5. Chevrolet Volt, 2,289
6. Lexus CT, 2,223
7. Chevrolet Malibu hybrid, 1,416
8. Hyundai Sonata hybrid, 1,397
9. Buick LaCrosse hybrid, 1,117
10. Honda Insight, 1,032
